Ron Sanchez files for re-election

At 10:33 a.m. this morning, it became official — Ron Sanchez filed the proper candidate statement, and appointed himself to be his own campaign treasurer, in his bid for re-election to the District 2 seat on the St Johns County Commission.

Next year ends the second term in office for Sanchez. He was first elected to the seat he now holds in 2006; riding a wave of “anti-incumbent” sentiment, that allowed him to slip by Karen Stern in a three-way Republican Primary Election by only 59 votes.

Sanchez went on to defeat Ken Bryan; who ran, that year, in the General Election as a Democrat.

Sanchez was re-elected in 2010 in a four-way open Primary Election where he garnered 10,753 votes. Candidate Karen Stern pulled 6,621 votes; Randy Brunson 6,539, and Ben Adams 4,768.

In May, 2010, Sanchez faced his three opponents before the Republican Club of St. Augustine. Responding to the first question about District 2 priorities, Sanchez said that he needs to support stability in agriculture, continue to press forward with plans for West Augustine infrastructure, work cooperatively with the Town of Hastings, and address transportation issues.

Responding to the next question about the balanced budget, Sanchez stated that the only way to achieve it is to cut expenses, use incentive plans like the early retirement, and to re-contract with vendors. Sanchez also said at that time the Board plans no tax increase this year, Flagler Estates will have a new community center soon, and that the County Golf Course is making money.

Responding to the final question about the possibility of cutting patrol deputies, Sanchez said that he disagrees with making the sheriff sit with five commissioners to explain the minutia of his budget. He suggested that the County Administrator should be satisfied with representations from the sheriff’s financial staff that the budget is necessary before bringing it to the commission for approval. Sanchez said that he doesn’t think that we are really facing cuts from patrol — but he doesn’t want to “micro-manage”.